A Devon surgeon's aid voyage to Gaza has been delayed by the weather.

David Halpin, 62, plans to ferry food, clothing and medical supplies to the Palestinian people aboard the 200 foot (61 metre) long Danish-based cargo vessel, the Barbara.

But the ship has been delayed from starting its 3,000 mile journey with its 55 tonnes of cargo from Jersey by the weather after off-loading cargo on the Channel Island.

Mr Halpin, from Haytor, Newton Abbot, said it was hoped the aid would be loaded aboard the vessel on Friday after it arrives in Torquay on Thursday.

After the aid is loaded, he plans to get the Barbara to set sail on Saturday evening.

The surgeon, who is financing the voyage at a cost of about �95,000, said he had so far received �14,500 in donations towards the costs.

The aid he has collected includes flour, vegetable oil, Cheddar cheese and 60 boxes of woollen clothing.

The vessel will carry a 75 foot (23 metre) long banner reading "justice, peace, brotherhood of man", and "reverence from all life", as well as another bearing the words "shalom" and "salaam".

Mr Halpin said he was "even more determined" to deliver the aid to the Palestinians following the recent bloodshed in the region.

First voyage

The aid was intended to help the 1.1 million Palestinian refugees from Israel who live in Gaza.

Mr Halpin, who worked at hospitals in Torquay and Exeter, said: "We hope it is the first of many such voyages."

He has asked the Foreign Office to clear the vessel's entry into the Israeli port of Ashdod, near the northern border of the Gaza Strip, and for the aid's road passage through a checkpoint into Gaza.

Mr Halpin, whose party will fly home after the aid mission, said the voyage was "a chance to make a difference".